Eight puppies dumped in shopping bag in woodland

Two of the puppies found in Surrey woodland

Animal welfare officers have launched an investigation after eight puppies were found abandoned in a shopping bag.

The puppies, thought to be bulldogs and about five weeks old, were left in woodland near Hare Hill, Addlestone, Surrey.

The person who discovered them took them to the RSPCA’s Millbrook Animal Centre, Chobham.

RSPCA inspector Natalie Kitchin said "thankfully the puppies are doing well" but "they are far too young to be away from their mum".

The puppies were in the bag with a black blanket

“It is heartbreaking to think that anything could have happened to them when they were left out in the open on their own.”

Staff at Millbrook have named the puppies Reef, Dune, Leo, Splash, Breeze, Ocean, Summer and Coral.

“I’m urging anyone who has any information about these puppies to get in touch with us so we can look further into why they were abandoned like this,” said Ms Kitchin.

It comes as the charity hopes to raise money with its summer appeal. It said the summer is its busiest time of year, receiving a report of animal abuse every five minutes.